Sleepless ink

Studio

After a couple of decades committed to travelling and surfing, it was time for my creative pursuits to benefit from staying in one place. Starting with a blog (sleeplessink.blogspot.com), my design, art and photography united under the umbrella title of Sleepless ink in 2009 - the name emerging from working late into the night, my first studio with a bed above the desk…sometimes not climbed into! Sleepless ink was set up to offer graphic design work, while also allowing room to incorporate photography and art.

Over time personal graphic illustration, photography and artwork proved more creatively satisfying, away from restrictive design briefs. In 2011 the shift in direction was further rewarded when the CEO of Fat Face spotted my work on a restaurant wall and contacted me. This led to designing four T-shirts for Fat Face, as well as being included in a national art project and gaining publicity in local newspapers, Devon and Cornwall Life, national surf magazines and Loaded. Since then I have enjoyed private and company commissions, on-line sales plus being well received by galleries. Sleepless ink focuses on the continuation of creating new artwork, plus graphic illustration and photography prints.

email: kc@sleeplessink.com

Phone: (U.K) 07894 963267

Graphic Illustration

A combination of drawing and design work to create pieces for limited and open print runs. The subject matter can vary but I frequently hone in on surfing, enjoying a wealth of experience being a surfer, both in the water and in the surfboard (airbrush/graphics) industry.

From working with surfboards and in graphic design I have gained techniques to create a process that uses drawing, painting, printing and software elements to produce digital collage pieces to go to print and into frames and on further to find walls. A selection of prints can be found on the Graphic Illustration page and in the shop.

Collage / Mixed Media

For my collage work I source text and images from old books, magazines, packaging etc, I then scan and print my findings using newsprint paper. Next I cut, tear and arrange the pieces to make a collage to print, draw and paint onto. This is such an enjoyable process, the hunt for usable media means always keeping an eye out for snippets to use.

When the collage paper is ready, I start printing, painting, drawing and working the inks and paint with a brush before the elements dry. Once started it is alive, the inks, pen and paints drying and reacting independently on the surface because of the different papers & glues used. It’s engrossing, with music on and the process underway, there is no stopping.

Photography

I have enjoyed photography since 2005, as a keen enthusiast, product photographer and producing my personal prints. My camera is with me at all times, I love finding moments of light, people, landscape or seascapes that somehow fit in a composition that can go to print, or be used in my illustration and collage work.

The majority of time is spent on the coast, of which there is plenty around Cornwall – the beaches, harbours, sea and surf, as well as the life in a seaside town, from the wet and windy empty streets of winter, to the tourists that visit in summer. Every now and then an overseas trip is enjoyed, or short break to the countryside or city.

I print my photographs on archival 310gsm soft textured paper using the best inks. The texture in the paper coupled with the slight grain I shoot with lends a pleasing vintage quality to each print.

Most of the photographs on the site can go to print. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in the shop, please contact me directly: kc@sleeplessink.com